Governor Romney served as an unpaid minister in his church for approximately 10 years. MSNBC reported on rare comments Romney made yesterday about those years of service.
Photo by CNN
[...] in response to a question about whether or not Romney is out of touch with average voters, Romney returned to the issue of his faith, telling his audience that his time as a local LDS ward leader and then stake-president in Massachusetts allowed him to work hands-on with regular folks who needed help:
I’ve had an unusual experience. This gentleman wanted to talk about the doctrines of my religion. I’ll talk about the practices of my faith. I had the occasion in my church to be asked to be the pastor, if you will, of a congregation,” Romney said. “I’ve served in that kind of role for about 10 years. And that gave me the occasion to work with people on a very personal basis that were dealing with unemployment, with marital difficulties, with health difficulties of their own and with their kids.”
Most Americans, by the way, are carrying a burden of some kind. We don’t see it, we see someone on the street, they smile and say ‘Hello,’ but behind them they are carrying a bag of rocks. It may be their own health difficulties. It may be concern about a job, it may be inability to pay for the home or the college they were hoping to pay for for a child. But people have burdens in this country, and when you get a chance to know people on a very personal basis, whether you’re serving as a pastor or as a counselor or in other kinds of roles, you understand that every kind of person you see is facing some challenges. And one of the reasons I’m running for president of the United States is I want to help people, I want to lighten those burdens.
Romney also used the experience of his wife, Ann, who has been diagnosed with multiple sclerosis, to further make a connection with his audience.
“My good wife, I mean, you see her, she’s beautiful, she’s energetic, articulate, but you know, she has MS, and she also had to fight breast cancer. And I watched her as a person with great strength and capacity,” Romney said. “You don’t always see the things that are happening in people’s lives, and yet, she wants to help people, and to reach out to those that are facing some difficulty.”
Hat Tip to Ryan Hawkins and Mitchell Lundquist for this article.
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Victor is a businessman working in the healthcare industry. He and his wife of 33 years have five children and four grandchildren. Vic has been blogging for Mitt Romney since 2007.
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A true servant of the people. Mitt’s actions speak even louder than his words. So many people asking the same questions over and over like they never take the time to research on their own to find out about these candidates. Actually I’m glad these things are coming out now and not right before the general election. No one has ever won a fight by back pedaling and trying to defend yourself. By the time the general election comes Mitt will be throwing the punches. I think Barack Obama better practice falling on the ground.
Great article. It makes me happy to hear him say why he is motivated to do this when he could just lead a good life in his retirement years.
Mitt Romney has spent his life serving people whether in his family, his church, his business, the Olympics, or as MA gov. Not taking a salary, incidentally, in many cases. He is one “connected” individual who knows that his good fortune (through work) and his God-given abilities must be put to good serving others. He is a sterling example of integrity, hard work, dedication, and a steadiness that is to be greatly admired by all who recognize good role models! He would be an outstanding president of the United States.
I think this whole notion that Mitt Romney does not connect with average folks is just spin that has been pushed and pushed by his opponents. Here is a man who has been married to the same woman for 42 years and has stuck by her in her hour of need when she has battled MS. Mitt has demonstrated compassion and loyalty unlike some of his opponents in the Republican primary.
Obama is the one who cut 500 billion from Medicare and turns his back on the private sector. Is this caring about the elderly or the small business man. Building a business is one the best ways the average man can work his way out of mediocrity. Is Obama connecting with the dreams Americans have for their future or the elderly who want to feel safe and secure.
If Mitt is not connecting with average folks..why is he winning the nomination?
I am hoping that more and more stories will come to the surface showing Mitt Romney’s tremendous character and how he has demonstrated compassion and caring throughout his life. What a great man of honor and integrity he is. We surely need a man of this caliber in the white house at this time in our country. Mitt will be a wonderful president and someone that my children and grandchildren can look up to. Ann will be a remarkable first lady, full of empathy and compassion for those who have been through the same health issues that she has, or who may be concerned that they may have these medical issues in the future. She also has a true warmth for all she meets and all love her. I feel Mitt and Ann are what this country needs at this most crucial time in our nation.
@Annette I totally agree with you! I have not met Mitt personally, but have many family members who have. (Many years ago he gave my sister and her husband a ride from Boston to Ithaca to attend my other sister’s funeral. The Romneys are also good friends of my daughter’s in-laws.) They all say the same thing…Mitt is very polite and well mannered, incredibly smart and hard working, as well as warm and approachable. He is so darn perfect that the media has to scramble to find negative things to say about him. He will make a remarkable president and Ann will be a perfect first lady.
I’ve so enjoyed and agree with these many comments. I also have served about 10 years in may capacities as an unpaid church leader. including as a serviceman’s group leader in Vietnam to leading congregations of up to 500 members; counseling them through the many of difficulties of life. To say that Mitt is not connected with the common people is simply laughable. Sue he has not lived the lifestyle of many common people, but his experiences in service have gotten him as close as one could possibly be.